Tampa Bay Lightning's Top Performers Since the Olympic Break

Since the Olympic break, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been on a roller coaster in their performance. They stumbled hard out of the gate, losing seven of their first ten games after the NHL season resumed. However, they've started to find their footing again, going 6-0-2 in their last eight games.

The Lightning are now tied in points, with 98, with the Buffalo Sabres at the top of the Atlantic Division, and have a game in hand. This stretch has also allowed them to stay ahead of the Montreal Canadiens, even when the latter have had a five-game winning streak.

Darren Raddysh has had a standout season, with 3 goals and 11 assists in 17 games played since the Olympic break. His offensive production has been consistent, while also fulfilling his defensive duties. He has been key to the power play, with a goal and four assists with the man advantage during this time. On the backend, he's blocked 14 shots and made 13 hits.

With Victor Hedman out for personal reasons, his role will continue to be pivotal in the final push towards the playoffs. This career season comes in a contract year, and getting this production at the price tag of $975,000 is a steal for the Lightning, a price that is sure to go up.

Brandon Hagel has played a key role in the Tampa Bay Lightning's success, averaging just over a point per game, while also contributing defensively. He has blocked 10 shots and tallied 12 takeaways. He represented Team Canada during the Olympics under head coach Jon Cooper.

At this pace, Hagel will fall short of the career high in points he reached last season (90), marking the first time in his career that he won’t top his previous season in points. However, he will set a new career high for goals with the next shot that finds the back of the net (36).

Nikita Kucherov is a frontrunner for the Hart Memorial Trophy, averaging nearly two points per game since the break. He is in the heat of the scoring race with Connor McDavid, which benefits the Lightning. Since the Olympic break, he has had six games with three points or more, double the number of times he has been scoreless in that same time.

Kucherov has missed the last couple of games due to illness, which essentially eliminated his hopes of reaching 100 assists again and making history with that mark. There are two weeks left in the regular season, and these three Lightning stars are expected to continue to be a factor.